Method of and apparatus for inclosing a folded parachute pack



1948- E- SELSMEYER 2, 52,604

METHOD ,OF AND APPARATUS FOR INCLOSING A FOLDED PARACHUTE PACK Filed April 5, 1945 s Sheets-Sheet 1 2/ INVENTOR.

fbnneo A fins/vars Nov. 2, 1948. E. SELSMEYER METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR INCLOSING A FOLDED PARACHUTE PACK 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 3, 1945 .IN V EN TOR.

Nov. 2, 1948. E. L. SELSMEYER 2,452,604

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR INCLOSING' V A FOLDED PARACHUTE PACK Filed April 3, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

ii erasv METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR INCLUS- ING A FOLDED PARACHUTE PACK Edward L. Selsmeyer, Green Bay, Wis.

Application April 3, 1945, Serial No. 586,433

10 Claims. (Cl. 10014) (Grantedunder the act of March 3, 1883, as amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) The invention described herein may be manuand closing the flaps of a pack firmly around a factured and used by or for the Government for neatly-folded parachute, without ruffling or disgoyernmental purposes, without the payment to turbing its originally-folded condition and with me of any royalty thereon. a minimum of handling thereof.

This invention relates to a device used for hold- 5 These and various other objects and advaning and securing the flaps of a cover or pack tages are attained with this invention as will bearound a parachute or the like which is held in come apparent from the following description, a folded position therein. taken in connection with the accompanying In wrapping a folded flexible article, and espedrawings wherein the invention is shown in its cially where it is an aviators parachute, the preferred form, it being evident that other arfolded article is enclosed in a cover or pack conrangements and forms of construction may be taming closure flaps foldable around the article, resorted to in carrying out the objects and purand on a parachute pack such flaps are equipped poses of this invention.

with coengaging fastening elements. Hereto- In, the drawings:

fore, these flaps on the packs Were drawn and 5,. Fig. 1 is aperspective view illustrating my novel closed around the contained folded parachute or pack-enclosing machine or device in its idle polike article by hand, and such operation of pulling sition.

the pack flaps manually around the parachute Fig. 2 is a perspective View showing the reand at the same time holding the pack steady cessed platform supporting the pack with the and also securing the fastening means together folded parachute resting thereon and the holding was quite difiicult, required tedious effort and arm swung down on the parachute.

consumed considerable time, and the parachute Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the device was inclined to become ruffled and distorted in with its cone flapmember engaging e thepack by such hand-packing operation. cones and pressing the flap with the underlying An essential object of this invention is to proarm d w n the fOlded parachutevide'a device or machine which is arranged to Fi 4 i a p r p v w h w h p support and partly embrace the pack with the cord protector flap clasped and drawn down by parachute or similar article resting thereon, and the cla p m cr and secured onto the cone which device comprises instrumentalities for enfi pr.

gaging the flaps of the pack and for drawing them Fig.- 5 is a perspective view showing one end firmly together around the folded parachute and flap closed and the rip cord secured in Place With will thereby facilitate securing the flaps together the protecti g Portion of the p d p thereon, so as to expedite enclosing the paralatched and the last end flap open, but the pack chute in the pack evenly and firmly folded toreadyto be withdrawn from the device.

gether and to eliminate tedious time consuming 518 a perspective V Showing t e ed manual operation as far as possible.- pack with the folded parachute therein being Another object of this invention is to provide withdrawn f om e recessed platform Of this a parachute closing device whereby the flaps of device.

the pack can be drawn and secured together As, illustrated inthedrawings, my improved speedily upon the enclosed parachute while the 010Sing device or machine 8 is adapted and arlatter is held neatly in its folded position therein, a ged for closing the flaps 01 Si ar eXtending Without ruffling or upsetting the parachute by p rtions of a v r 9, su as a pa hut pa and handling and turning of the pack during the around a fol d ar le II, an mo esp i l y flap fastening operation. a folded parachute canopy utilized in aviation Another object of this invention is to provide and provided with shroud lines l9.

such a device including means whereby to grasp In the form, of: invention disclosed herein the the flap and which is actuated by leg power, so cover or pack 9 includes four flaps H, l and that the flaps can be drawn forcefully and quickly it. The flap it is provided with a pair of proupon the folded parachute, and so as to constantly jecting elements Itwhich are shown in the shape exert pressure downward on the flaps and the of cones having transversely extending apertures folded parachute to hold the same steadily in a near-the upper ends, while the opposite flap i2 neatly-folded position by foot action, thus facilihas a pair of eyelets or grommets H to be entatlng closing the pack by hand. gaged over said cones l5, and this flap H2 in- Another object of this invention is to provide cludes an outer covering part [2' having eyelets an improved method of operation for drawing l8 thereon to be clasped on stems E9 on the main a art of said fiap when the part i2 is folded down in closed position, as shown in 6. The flaps l3 and M are provided each with an eyelet or grommet 2% to be engaged over one of the cones it, in closing the pack with the parachute folded therein.

As shown in the drawings, my improved device 8 comprises a supporting member which is sub stantially in the form of a table including a platform or top 25 supported on a frame 25. Said platform is provided with an enclosing portion to partly embrace and hold the parachute pack therein, and this is preferably provided in the form of a recessed part 25 formed by two side bars 2'! and an intervening block 28 at one end, for enclosing three sides of the pack, while the foot end 29 is open to allow for convenient withdrawal of the pack with the parachute therein. Said recess 25 is of such a shape and size as to the pack with the parachute i resting in its folded position on the main part of said pack while the flaps are extended.

This device is provided with a holding member or arm 3i which is movably supported at one end on the platform 2 being shown as swingably mounted by hinge means 32 and being concave in shape and swingable downward upon the parachute to compress it in the pack within said recess 26. A holder 33 is mounted movably on the platform, being shown in the shape of a plate hinged at 34, and it is provided with notched means 35 or similar holding means to engage said cones or projecting elements on the flap H, and thereby retain the flap in place. A cable 35 extends from said plate 33 to a foot actuated member or treadle 37 so that leg power can be applied for forcing said plate down firmly on the hinged arm 35 and thereby forcefully pressing down the parachute in proper folded position, as best shown in Fig. 3. Spring means 3% urges plate 33 automatically to its raised position, as shown in Fig. 6.

A clamping member 4! is provided herein whereby to draw the opposite flap l2 onto the cone flap H, and this member 4! is in the form of a yoke-shaped frame having legs 42 combined with a U-shaped clamping bar 43 having arms 44 which are connected by pivots 45 to said legs 42, so that when the flap extension I2 is clasped in this clamping member the bight of member 43 will press said extension onto the bight of member 41 and will thus clamp it .in position therebetween, as shown in Fig. l. A cable 35 extends from clamping member 4| to a treadle or foot actuated member l! to be operated by leg power for forcefully pulling the flap :2 onto flap H thereby liberating the hands to facilitate snapping the grommets ll readily onto the cones l5, as best shown in Fig. 4. Member 4! is provided with a flexible cone-protecting flap 4 l The treadles 3'! and 67 are now held down by foot action and the pack with its flaps H and [2 are thereby held firmly in place, thus leaving the hands free, so that the end flap I3 can then be conveniently drawn into its closed position by hand and its grommet 2| snapped onto an adjacent cone l5, as shown in Fig. 5. Thereupon the rip cord 5i with its handle 52 can be readily applied in the usual manner and have its pins 53 pass through said apertures in. cones Hi, to secure these three flaps in place and hold the parachute safely in the pack, and thereby facilitate withdrawing the pack with the parachute therein from the arm 3i and the recess 26, in the manner and. form as shown in Fig. 5.

'The last flap I4 can then be drawn closed while the adjacent cone has its rip cord pin 53 released, and the eyelet of this flap !4 placed on said adjacent cone and pin 53 inserted, thus inclosing the parachute in the pack. The flap l2 also has eyes 54 thereon to receive therein the hook ends 55 on the flexible cords 5E, and the extension l2 0n flap I2 is then folded down and secured in its closed position, thus fully closing the pack upon the folded parachute, in the manner shown in Fig. 6.

The improved method which I utilize in closing a folded parachute or the like in a pack of this type, and which is especially facilitated by the use of this unique device disclosed herein, is carried out substantially as follows:

The pack with the folded parachute resting on its intermediate part is placed in a dished support, for instance the recessed part 26 of platform 24 which substantially embraces the pack, with the flaps of the pack extending outward, as disclosed in Fig. 2, and a holding member, for instance, the hinged arm 3|, is then pressed down upon the parachute.

Next, as shown in Fig. 3, the cones l5 of flap 1 l are engaged against a suitable holding member, like the plate 33 mounted on platform 34, and this flap will thus be held in position, leg power being preferably utilized, as by means of the treadle 31 and cable 35, to force down the plate 33 and the cone flap I l onto the arm 3| and thereby compact the parachute within the pack.

NeXt, the flap I2, opposite the cone flap H, is grasped, preferably by the clamping member 4| clasping the extension I2 of the flap l2 therein, and leg power is preferably utilized, as by means of treadle 4'! and the cable 45, thereby forcing the flap l2 upon flap H, and leave the hands free to facilitate snapping the grommets upon the cones, as shown in Fig. 4.

By this manner of holding and closing the pack on the parachute the end flap l3 can then be readily drawn up and its grommet snapped on the adjoining cone, whereupon the rip cord is applied in the usual manner with its pins 53 inserted in the apertures of the cones, as shown in Fig. 5.

The clamp M is released and withdrawn from flap [2, and the pack is slid outward in recess 26, off from arm 3|, and the last flap M is closed with its grommet placed on the adjoining cone, and the pack fully closed as explained above and as indicated in Fig. 6.

I claim:

1. A device for folding the projecting flaps of a cover around a folded article resting on said cover, said device comprising means shaped to support and to hold in place the cover with the article therein, a holder to bear on said folded article and hold it in place, a holding member including means to engage one flap of the cover whereby to hold said flap firmly in position, and means for clasping therein a flap opposite the first said flap and drawing it down in closed position thereon in such a manner that a third flap on the cover can be conveniently drawn manually in closed position to facilitate withdrawing the cover with the folded article incascd therein from the device.

2. A parachute pack closing device comprising means shaped to support and partly inclose a parachute pack which carries a folded parachute thereon and which includes foldable flaps extending outwardly therefrom, a holder on the de-- vice to bear on said folded parachute, a holding member including means to engage one flap of the pack whereby to hold the flap firmly in position and press it down on said holder,.and=means for grasping a flap opposite the first said flap and drawing it down in closed position thereon, the device being arranged for holdingthe pack so that a thirdsflap on thepack can be conveniently drawn manually in closed position, whereby the pack with the folded'parachu-te securely retained therein may then be readily withdrawn from the device.

3-. A parachute pack closing device comprising means for supporting a parachute pack which includes flaps extending outwardly and having cooperating elements thereon for securing them togethelix'said ack carrying: afolded parachute nnt einte-rmediate part thereof, an arm on the device swinga le onto the. folded parachute for holding it in positions a foot-actuated holding member including means, to engage the elements provided on one flap of the pack whereby to hold said flap firmly in position and also to press down on said arm and compress the parachute, and foot actuated means whereby toclasp the flap opposite the first said flap and draw it down in closed position thereon, to enable securing said two flaps together andhold the parachute firmly in the pack and facilitate drawing a third flap into closed position and secure it to said fastening elements, whereby the pack with the folded parachute securely held therein may then be readily slid off from said arm and withdrawn from the device for completing the final packclosing operation.

4. A machine for inclosing a folded article in a wrapper of the type which contains a plurality of outwardly extending portions at least one of which is provided with a holding element and the other portions are provided each with means for engaging said element, said machine comprising a support shaped to embrace the wrapper therein with the article resting thereon and the portions extending therefrom, a holding arm to bear down on the article, a retaining member having means to engage said holding element and thereby hold the element-equipped portion firmly down on the folded article, and coacting clamping means for clasping therein and drawing the opposite portion in place and facilitate securing its fastening means onto said element to secure these portions together and hold the article in position in the wrapper, whereby to facilitate closing another extending portion with its securing means engaged on said elements, and facilitate removing the wrapper with the article from the machine.

5. A machine for inclosing a folded flexible article in a wrapper of the type which contains a plurality of flaps at least one of which is provided with a projecting element and the other flaps are provided with means for engaging said element, said machine comprising a recessed support to receive the pack in the recess with the flaps unfolded and the article resting on the wrapper, a holding arm to bear down on the article, a retaining member having means to engage said. element and thereby hold the element-equipped flap firmly down on said arm and folded article, and clamping means for grasping and drawing the opposite flap in place and facilitate securing its fastening means onto said element to secure said flaps together and hold the article in position in the wrapper, so as to facilitate closing a third flap by hand with its securing means engaged on said element and to facilitate removing the wrapper from the support with 6, the article held safely in its folded: condition therein.-

6. A machine for inclosing a folded parachute in: a flap-equipped pack of the type wherein at. least one of the fl'aps is provided with cones and the others with eyelets for engagingsaid cones, said machine comprising a support having a dished part to receive the pack therein with its flaps unfolded and the folded parachute resting on the pack, an armmounted at one end on the support andfree atthe other end to bear: down on the parachute and hold it in place, a retainingmember movably mounted on: the machine-and having means atitsffree end to grasp said cones,

means to force down said member and thereby hold down said cone-equipped flap and parachute, clamping means for grasping and drawingthe opposite flap, and means for actuating said clamping means byv a foot to force thev flaps together and leave the hands free to facilitate securing the eyelets onthe cones, whereby to. hold the pack andfacilitate closing a third flapwith its eyelets'engaging said cones, so thatzthe pack with inclosed. parachute may be readily withdrawn from the machine.

7.. A machinefor inclosing a. folded parachute: in a flap-equipped pack of the type wherein at least one of the flaps is provided with cones and the others with eyelets for engaging said cones, said machine comprising a supporting platform having a recess to receive the main part of the pack therein with its flaps unfolded and the parachute resting properly folded on said main part, an arm movably supported at one end and free at the other end to bear down on the parachute, a retaining member swingable on the machine being notched at its free end to engage said cones, a foot treadle to operate said member and hold said cone-equipped flap firmly down on said arm and thereby compact the parachute, clamping means for grasping and drawing the opposite flap, and a treadle for actuating said clamping means by a foot to force the flaps together and leave the hands free to expedite securing the eyelets onto the cones, whereby then to hold the pack by foot power and facilitate closing a third flap by hand with its eyelet engaging one of said cones, so that the pack with the parachute securely held in its folded position therein may be slid from said arm and withdrawn from the machine.

8. In the method of inclosing a folded parachute in a pack which contains flaps equipped with cooperating securing elements, the procedure which involves the following steps: supporting the pack on a support with the pack flaps extending outwardly and the folded parachute resting on the pack, pressing down and holding the parachute firmly compacted on said support, engaging the elements provided on one flap and utilizing foot power for drawing and retaining said flap in place, then drawing an opposing flap forcefully around the parachute and holding it down on said held flap by foot power, in the meantime utilizing the hands for securing the elements of said flaps together, and drawing a third flap into closing position and securing its element onto those fastened elements, so as to facilitate withdrawing the pack with securely-inclosed folded parachute from the support.

9. The method of inclosing a folded parachute in a pack which contains flaps equipped with cooperating securing elements, said method comprising the following steps: placing the pack on suitable supporting means with its flaps extendi'rlg outwardly and the folded parachute resting on the pack, pressing down and holding the parachute firmly compacted, engaging the elements provided on one flap and utilizing foot power for retaining said flap in place and forcing said one flap down firmly on the folded parachute, drawing an opposing flap firmly around the parachute and holding it down upon said held flap by foot power thus leaving the hands free for securing the elements of these flaps together, drawing a third flap in closing position and engaging its element onto one of these securing elements, applying a ripcord to secure the elements together on the closed flaps, withdrawing the said pack with securely inclosed folded parachute from said supporting means, and finally closing a fourth flap by hand.

10. A parachute pack closing device comprising means to support a parachute pack which carries a folded parachute thereon and which includes foldable flaps extending outwardly therefrom, means on said device to engage one flap of the pack whereby to hold that flap firmly in its closed position, and means for engaging a flap opposite the first said flap and drawing it down in closed position thereon, the device being REFERENCES CiTED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,623,300 Brady Apr. 5, 1927 2,335,589 Fremeau Nov. 30, 1943 2,357,805 Bloxon Sept. 12, 1944 2,357,828 Hurt Sept. 12, 1944 OTHER REFERENCES Service Manual For Irvin Air Chutes, published by Irving Air Chute Co., Inc., 1670 Jefferson Ave., Buffalo, N. Y., pages 24 to 30, inclusive. (A copy of this manual is in Division 22, U. S, Patent Oflice, in Class 244, Subclass 142.) 

